This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville heaped praise onto Liverpool’s Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino despite having a quiet game during the Reds’ 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
What’s the word?
Firmino, 28, has proved to be a critical link between himself, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah over the past two seasons at Anfield.
However, the Brazilian forward had a poor afternoon on Sunday as his creativity in and around the forwards was unable to guide his side to victory against their hated neighbours.
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Nevertheless, former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville told Sky Sports, via The Liverpool Echo, that he admires Firmino. He said: “Liverpool play with three mobile strikers. Firmino doesn’t score 25 goals every year. He does an unbelievable job, I love him to bits, but he doesn’t score 25 goals.
“We had strikers at Manchester United who didn’t score 25, 30 goals but they did brilliant jobs. You can still win without a striker that scores 25, 30 goals.”
Unique player
Firmino is a unique player in his own way and would only fit into certain playing styles, particularly within Liverpool’s 4-3-3 formation.
After the crucial role he played during the Reds’ 3-1 win over Newcastle in September, his teammate Andrew Robertson described him as “frightening” as his introduction from the bench changed the outcome of the game. His lay-off to Salah during the victory illustrates he is the unselfish, deep-lying forward that creates the connections from the midfield to the attackers.
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The Reds have proved that it is possible to play in the Premier League without an old fashioned No. 9. Both Salah and Mane picked up the Premier League Golden Boot last season after scoring 22 goals apiece, sharing the gong with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Having someone who drops deep to the tip of the midfield and plays in the ball to wing and in the channels has been the key to Liverpool’s success. Neville recognises this and appreciates what the 28-year-old can bring to a team.
Firmino’s importance can’t be proved by the use of statistics. The only way to enjoy the Brazilian is simply just to watch him.
